Renowned Social Activists and Ramon Magsaysay Awardees Dr. Prakash Amte and his wife Dr. Mandakini Amte visited KISS on 25th September, 2009. They visited different campuses and facilities of KISS and interacted with the staff and students.

Dr. Prakash Amte and Dr. Mandakini Amte expressed their happiness to see Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), a sister concern of KIIT, which provides free education, vocational training and residence to 10,000 tribal students. They appreciated the facilities being provided to the deprived children of tribal communities in this institute. Lauding the contribution of Dr. A. Samanta, Founder Secretary of KISS & KIIT in the field of education and social development, they gave their view that, there is no place in the world where such philanthropic service is rendered to the down trodden class of the society. They also reported hearing heaps of praises about KISS from noted writer, social activist and Ramon Magsaysay Award Winner (1997), Hon’ble Mrs. Mahasweta Devi, who visited KISS earlier this month.

Dr. Prakash Amte is a medical doctor and social worker from Maharastra and Son of Magsaysay Awardee and legend Baba Amte. He and his wife, Dr. Mandakini Amte were awarded the Magsaysay Award for 'Community Leadership' in 2008 for their philanthropic work for society. Welcoming Dr. Prakash Amte and Dr. Mandakini Amte to the campus, Dr. Samanta thanked them for their gracious presence and encouragement to the students.

KIIT School of Management in the League of Top B-Schools

KIIT School of Management has been ranked 46th among all government and self-financing B-Schools in the country, including IIMs and XLRI, by a survey conducted by the prestigious News Magazine 'Outlook' recently. It has figured in TOP SIX B-Schools along with IIM-C, XLRI, XIM, BIT and VGSoM of IIT Kharagpur in East Zone. The result of the survey, which took into account parameters such as Selection Process, Academic Excellence, Personality Development, Infrastructure & Facilities, Placements was published in the issue dated 28th September 2009.

IBAD World Championship 2009. KIITStudent bags Bronze Medal

Dillaswar Rao, a student of KIIT University bagged a Bronze Medal in the Doubles match of IBAD (International Badminton Association for Disabled) World Championship 2009, which was held at Seoul, Korea from 5th to 12th September 2009.

During his Seoul visit he participated in the men’s singles and doubles in the STL-1 category and own the Bronze Medal in partnership with N. H. Khan. According to the sources total 22 teams participated in this tournament where only five teams were selected to play in the Doubles. Thailand bagged the Gold medal where as Hong Kong got the Silver medal.

Earlier, Dillaswar Rao, a 3rd Semester student of KIIT School of Technology had been selected by the ‘Badminton Sports Association of India for the Challenged’ to represent India at IBAD World Championship 2009.

Dr. A. Samanta, Founder, KIIT Group of Institutions expressed his satisfaction over the remarkable achievement of the student in the field of sports.

Prof. Dr. Satya Vrat Shastri, noted Sanskrit scholar, writer, grammarian and poet visited Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences on 16th September 2009. Prof. Dr. Satya Vrat Shastri is currently an Honorary Professor at the Special Centre for Sanskrit Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. During his career he has won many National and International awards and is the first recipient of the Jnanpith award in Sanskrit language.

During his visit to KISS he lauded the commendable acheivement of Dr. Samanta. Later in the day Prof. Dr. Satya Vrat Shastri was felicitated at KISS by Dr. A. Samanta, Founder, KISS & KIIT in the presence of a large number of faculty, staff and students of KIIT.

Dr. A. Samanta, Founder, KIIT Group of Institutions and KISS expressed his gratitude to Prof. Dr. Satya Vrat Shastri for visiting the campus and said that his visit had enlightened the campus.

Dr. Samanta Short-listed for Prestigious National & International Awards

In yet another time, the humility of Dr. Achyuta Samanta has been recognized both at National and International forums. His dream for an equitable world through the creation of Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) has been shortlisted for the coveted 'India Business Award 2009' for Corporate Social Responsibility. Dr. Samanta is locking horns with two giants of Indian corporate sector - Tata Steel, the flagship of the Tata Group, and the Hindustan Unilever Ltd - for the Award scheduled to be announced on September 17 in Mumbai at a gala function to be covered live worldwide through CNBC.

While Business India has taken note of Dr. Samanta’s genius and his social concerns, the international community working for the innovations in the field of education has shortlisted Dr. Samanta to be a Laureate for World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) 2009. WISE, the global event to create a new multi-disciplinary international platform to shape education models in the 21st Century, is being supported by the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF), International Association of University Presidents (IAUP), U.K, Institute of International Education (IIE), New York and RAND Corporate.

The selection through a rigorous scrutiny of hundreds of entries in three different categories zeroed down to just 16 in the innovation category. Dr. Samanta has been the only Indian to find a berth in the finalists from Africa, Asia and Oceania, Middle East, Europe, North America, South and Latin America. In the toughest competition for the WISE Laureate, Dr. Samanta is pitted against illustrious competitors from USA, UK, Brazil, South Africa and Cameroon.

The International Jury in the innovation category to select two laureates for the WISE-2009 Award comprises of the President of Beijing University, CEO of Richard Rose Federation and the Vice-President of Microsoft, USA.

As the only Indian to be shortlisted for this global award and the only Oriya to be shortlisted for the coveted India Business Award-2009 definitely are matters of great importance and pride for the entire state. Dr. Samanta, however, dedicates these unique feats to the blessings of God and the love of the people of Odisha.

2nd Justice Y. V. Chandrachud Memorial Lecture in KIIT

KIIT Law School organized the 2nd Justice Y. V. Chandrachud Memorial Lecture on “Social Justice under Indian constitution” in the memory of former Chief Justice of India who remained Chief Justice of India for almost 7 years. The Memorial Lecture was inaugurated by His Excellency, The Governor of Odisha, Shri M. C. Bhandare in the presence of Hon’ble Justice R. C. Lahoti, Former Chief Justice of India, Hon’ble Justice I. M. Quddusi, Acting Chief Justice of Odisha High Court, Prof. Faizan Mustafa, Advisor, KIIT Law School & Vice–Chancellor, National Law University, Odisha and Dr. N. K. Chakrabarti, Director, KIIT Law School at KIIT Premises on 13th September, 2009.

While delivering his lecture Hon’ble Justice R. C. Lahoti, Former Chief Justice of India said “ Achieving Social Justice, equality and political freedom is every Indians right that has been already enshrined in the Constitution of India for which Justice Chandrachud had emphasized all his life. Justice Lahoti appreciated KIIT Law School and its founder Dr. A. Samanta and paid a rich tribute to Justice Y. V. Chandrachud.

His Excellency, Governor of Odisha, Shri M. C Bhandare said that Justice Chandrachud was a law abiding man and in his entire career he always stood for the common man’s safety and rights. He also advocated use of law as a tool for social engineering and assured the students of KIIT Law School that they are not only at par with other National Law Universities but they can do much better if they continue to devote themselves to academic pursuits with utmost dedication, sincerity and commitment.

Presiding over the 2nd Justice Y. V Chandrachud Memorial Lecture, Hon’ble Justice I. M. Quddusi observed that Justice R. C. Lahoti is the right person to deliver Y. C. Chandrachud Memorial Lecture as he combines in himself all the qualities of what he termed a "Perfect Judge". Hon’ble Justice. I. M. Quddusi also highlighted some unknown facets of Justice Y. V. Chandrachud’s life particularly his commitment to human values. He also recalled how apologetic Justice Y. V. Chandrachud was about his decision in ADM-Jabalpur case during emergency.

Dr. Samanta said Justice Chandrachud was a multifacted personality. He was a brilliant sportsman, teacher and lawyer.

Prof. Mustafa and Dr. Chakrabarti also spoke on the occasion. Among others a large number of students and the top officials of KIIT University were present on the occasion.

Rank of Honour for KIIT School of Management

KIIT School of Management has been Ranked 28th Best B Private School in the Country and 5th Best in East after IIM, Kolkata, XLRI, XIMB and V.G. SOM, IIT Kharagpur by Open-CFore Survey sponsored by Mint and Hindusthan Times.

9th National Youth Parliament Competition in KIIT

"The 9th National Youth Parliament Competition" was organized at KIIT University with the collaboration of Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, Govt. of India. The 9th National Youth Parliamentary Competition was inaugurated by Hon’ble MP (Lok Sabha) Shri Bibhu Prasad Tarai, Mr. R. C. Mohanty, Under Secretary, Ministry of Parliament Affairs, Govt. of India, Dr. B. R. Mohapatra, Editor, Khabar & Former Principal of SCS College, Puri and other senior delegates at KIIT campus on 11th September 2009.

Inaugurating the competition, Shri Bibhu Prasad Tarai urged on practically orienting the youth towards democratic process of parliament, because the qualities of leadership can be acquired by this easy method. Youth represent the Nation’s future leaders. Again in a democratic country, it is extremely useful to create awareness among the youth about day-to-day politics. This gives them fine training at the early stages. The general shyness and sense of reservation completely disappear when one starts coming to the platform.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. R. C. Mohanty said that Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs has been organizing Youth Parliament Competitions all over the country. This helps in renewing the faith of youth in our democracy. The Nation’s strength and power lies in the youth and vibrant youth power can be strengthened and enriched through youth parliament competition.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. B. R. Mohapatra said that every institution and university should organize youth parliament regularly. Platforms are arranged for students giving them chance to learn the art of oration. This aspect of KIIT will enrich the political experience of students, he observed.

According to the sources, last year group level Youth Parliament Competition was held among 6 reputed universities of India (Avharya N. G. Ranga Agriculture University, Andhra Pradesh, Kakatiya University, A.P., Rastra Sant Tukadoji Maharaj, Nagpur University., Maharastra, Anna University, Tamilnadu and Alaggappa University, Tamil Nadu.), in which KIIT University had occupied top position.

KIIT Professor receives the Best Law Teacher of the SAARC Region Award-2009

Prof. G.V. Ajjappa of KIIT Law School was conferred the coveted Best Law Teacher of the SARRC Region Award-2009 by the Hon’ble Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, Chief Justice of India. The prestigious award named after legendary Prof. N.R. Madhava Menon who led the revolution in legal education by founding National Law School at Bangalore. The award jointly instituted by Society of Indian Law Firm (SILM) and Menon Institute of Legal Advocacy, carries in addition to the citation, a cash award of Rs.1 lakh. Prof. Menon himself read the citation at the award ceremony.

Prof. G.V. Ajjappa is the senior most Professor of Law who has taught generation of judges, lawyers and leading law teachers. He was instrumental in establishing several leading National Law Schools. The award ceremony was attended by several former Chief Justices, Judges of the apex court and other leading lights of India and other SAARC Countries who paid rich tributes to Prof. G.V. Ajjappa and mentioned him as a “role model” for the entire legal fraternity.

Prof. G.V. Ajjappa has taught, with great distinction, advanced courses in Jurisprudence, Labour law, Criminal law, Family law etc and is widely known for the personal care he takes of his colleagues and students.

Dr. A. Samanta, Founder of KIIT & KISS, expressed his happiness on the conferment of this award on Prof. G.V. Ajjappa and urged teachers of KIIT University to follow the footsteps of Prof. G.V. Ajjappa. He also expressed the hope that KIIT Law School teachers would continue to bring many more laurels to the School which is an up-coming centre of excellence in legal education in the country.

KISS is ‘Bharat Tirtha’: Mrs. Mahasweta Devi

Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) is a 'Bharat Tirtha', said renowned writer, social activist and Ramon Magsaysay Award Winner (1997), Hon’ble Mrs. Mahasweta Devi during her visit to the institute on 8th September 2009. Mrs. Mahasweta Devi is on a two-day visit to KISS and KIIT. She visited KISS and all campuses of KIIT and interacted with the students and staff. Hon’ble Mrs. Devi also inaugurated a hostel building for tribal students and unveiled a golden plaque in her honour at KISS campus.

Dr. Samanta's contributions in the field of education, especially for the poor and deprived sections, is an example, she stated, adding that she had never seen this type of benevolent public employment anywhere. "I have visited different parts of India, but this is a miracle and a great experience for me", she said. I would return to Kolkata with this errand and the moralist inspired to all the human beings, said. Mrs. Mahasweta Devi. Education is the best successful weapon to eradicate illiteracy from the society, because it is the reason of poverty, she added.

She spent generous amount of time interacting with 10,000 tribal students of KISS and was overwhelmed to see the achievements of the students in academics, sports and co-curricular activities. Their achievement is a victory for all the poor class people of the world, she said, expressing her gratitude to Dr. Samanta for giving her a chance to come to KISS. She will try to popularize KISS among the world with the renowned journalist Deepa Sankar, who was also visited KISS with her, she promised.

Later in the day Hon’ble Mrs. Mahasweta Devi was felicitated at KISS by Dr. A. Samanta, Founder, KISS & KIIT in the presence of a large number of faculty, staff and students of KIIT.

Dr. A. Samanta, Founder, KIIT Group of Institutions and KISS expressed his gratitude to Hon’ble Mrs. Mahasweta Devi for visiting KIIT and KISS and said it is a golden moment to be in company of an inspiring personality like her.

KIIT Student in IBAD World Championship

A physically challenged student of Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) has proved his talent in badminton. Dillaswar Rao, a 3rd Semester student of KIIT School of Technology, has been selected to participate in IBAD (International Badminton Association for Disabled) World Championship 2009, which will be held at Seoul, Korea from 5th to 12th September 2009.

Dillaswar Rao has been selected by Badminton Sports Association of India for Challenged to represent India in the IBAD World Championship 2009. During his Seoul visit he will participate in men’s singles and doubles in the STL-1 category. According to the sources, Dillaswar Rao won Silver Medal in the 9th Senior Badminton Championship 2009 (for challenged), which was held at Bangalore.

Dr. A. Samanta, Founder, KIIT Group of Institutions expressed his satisfaction over the remarkable achievement of the student in the field of sports.

Dr. S. P. Sinha, Associated Prof., Department of Physics, KIIT University presented a research paper at 7th International Energy Conversion Engineering Conference, Denver, Colorado, USA, organized by American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, which was held on 2nd to 5th July, 2009. The paper of Dr. S. P. Sinha was highly appreciated by the selection team.

According to the sources he was the single person from India out of 147 Scientists invited to present the research paper around the world. The conference was chaired by Michael F. Pisgcgor Jr., Nasa Glenn Research Centre, Ohio. Cleveland.

Paper presentation at this International Conference at USA is a matter of great pride and happiness, said Dr. A. Samanta, Founder, KIIT Group of Institutions. He congratulated to Dr. Sinha for his exploit performance and expressed his hope to gain more achievements in this field.